Sri Veeratteswarar Temple

Overview

The Sri Veeratteswarar Temple is a Shivastalam. It is one of the eight Veerattastalams that are dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple is also known as Dakshapuram, and is located eight kilometres to the east of Mayiladuturai. The idol of the Yaga Samhara Moorthy is a specimen of the craftsmanship of the ancient Tamils. Tiruppariyalur is considered to be the fifteenth in the series of Tevara Stalams in the Chola kingdom located south of the river Kaveri.

About the Temple

The temple is rather small and has a single prakaram. There are inscriptions from the period of the Jatavarman Sundara Pandya and Krishnadevaraya are found here. Sri Veeratteswarar Temple is one of the Attaveerattana (one of the eight heroic deeds) Sthalams of God Shiva. God Shiva is believed to have vanquished Dhakshan, father of Sathi, who refused to give his son-in-law Lord Shiva due recognition in the Yagna performed by him. Dhakshan insulted his daughter when she came to the function eventhough she was not invited. Unable to bear the insult heaped on her by her father, Sathi died by self immolation. Angered by the death of His wife, Lord Shiva then danced his Tandava and killed Dakshan thourgh Veerabhadrar. Thiruppariyalur is dedicated to this episode in Shiva’s life, where He is known as Daksha Samhara Moorthy. The processional deity (Utsava Moorthy) is a bronze idol of Daksha Samhara Moorthy, depicted as having Dakshan under the lord’s feet.

About the Deity

The presiding deity is Shiva. He is called Veeratteswarar. His consort is known as Ilankombanaiyaal and Balambika.

Legend and Stories

Daksha was a Shiva devotee and he gained boons from Lord Shiva, which only developed pride in him. He organized a great yajna without inviting Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva withdrew (Parithal in Tamil) the boons granted to him, thus the place came to be known as Tiru Parialur. It is also noteworthy that Daksha was the father of Dakshayani, consort of Lord Shiva. As he failed in the formalities to be followed in respecting the boon giver, Lord Shiva destroyed him and his yajna. Other invitees like the Devas were also punished for accepting Daksha’s invitation knowing that he had erred in ignoring the Lord. Sun God lost a tooth. He has a shine in the temple worshipping the Lord daily for the wrong he has committed.

Festivals

Four worship services are offered here each day. Sundays in the month of Kartikai (Scorpio) are considered sacred, and the festival images are taken around in procession then. Other festivals celebrated here include Arudra Darisanam, Aadi Pooram and Navaratri.

Significance

Devotees pray for relief from the adverse aspects of the planets. Devotees perform abishek and aradhanas to Lord and Mother

Nearby Place to Visit

Kayaroganeswarar

Thanthondreeswarar

Neelakandeswarar

Pallavaneswarar

Aranyeswarar

Naganathar

Accessibility

One has to reach Semponarkoil from Mayiladuthurai. A mini bus is available from the temple to Tiruparialur 7 km from Mayiladuthurai. The closest railways are in Mayiladuthurai and the closest airport is in Tiruchi.

Temple Address

Sri Veeratteswar Temple,
Keel Parasalur-Tiru Parialur-609 309,
Nagapattinam district.